Diplomacy is entirely broken

[Husar]

And, as has been mentioned, if you get peace with a faction, all your allies and protectorates remain at war with it while you have moved on and are trading with them again. So they keep blockading your trade with them.

I never ask them for help in the war and just go to war myself, trying to avoid such problems and because I don't expect them to be of much help anyway, especially when they aren't even close to the enemy.

[aimlesswanderer]

I never ask them for help in the war and just go to war myself, trying to avoid such problems and because I don't expect them to be of much help anyway, especially when they aren't even close to the enemy.

Yeah, true, your allies' armies are practically stationary. But I usually have no navy, and they can usually harass the evil doers and keep my ports clearer.

[Sheogorath]

Actually, I've found that the German States at least have VERY active armies.

In my UP campaign, Westphalia and Austria have been at war pretty much since the start of the game. Westphillia has annexed most of the other German states besides Hannover and Saxony, and I gave them France because Savoy (who I gave it to before, because nobody else wanted it or would pay me for it :\) back stabbed me.

Now The Westphalians are actually fighting a very active war with the Austrians. Provinces are changing hands with regularity and there's been several major battles. It's a stalemate, though, which would seem kind of odd, but for some reason the minor factions seem to have better strategic/tactical AI than the majors, even the landlocked ones like Austria and Prussia.

[Fisherking]

Actually, I've found that the German States at least have VERY active armies.

In my UP campaign, Westphalia and Austria have been at war pretty much since the start of the game. Westphillia has annexed most of the other German states besides Hannover and Saxony, and I gave them France because Savoy (who I gave it to before, because nobody else wanted it or would pay me for it :\) back stabbed me.

Now The Westphalians are actually fighting a very active war with the Austrians. Provinces are changing hands with regularity and there's been several major battles. It's a stalemate, though, which would seem kind of odd, but for some reason the minor factions seem to have better strategic/tactical AI than the majors, even the landlocked ones like Austria and Prussia.

Austria’s units and order of battle are also crap. Most minor factions have better troops!

[aimlesswanderer]

I have found the German city states to be extremely passive militarily. However, since I try and make them my protectorates early on that may nerf them somewhat. However, when I drag them into war with a neighbouring country (say Austria, Denmark, UP or France) they just sit around gazing at their navels, and even have half their army in a town on the opposite side of the province from where the enemy is.

[Zarky]

From German minors, I've seen Westphalia own whole Western Germany and Netherlands. Hannover always goes after Denmark and they often raid their farms, school etc. but can't get to Copenhagen because Denmark always has ships nearby.

[Discoman]

Minor Nations are usually passive because the AI seems to be programmed to protect their capital/last settlement with all their military strength.